Indian pointer trees were done like that to indicate position or direction.... road signs if you will. They would point a trail direction or mark forks in the trail/road to certain spots.

That bend in the tree seems rather high for such a tree. Possible tho. Many such trees are left by storms. As a tree falls and bends a smaller tree without breaking it, the smaller tree grows on and the branches become like a trunk, reaching up. I would be mo worried 'bout the dude in the mask!!!!

I think that the Wooly Hollow Cache put out by gaddiel & orange danish had a link to Indian trail trees. It may be in the logs from ages ago. I think they also pointed to resources such as water. In our wanderings in the woods, we've come across several. They are cool.